The Government of Canada is providing $8 million in funding to Ontario to support crisis hotlines, which can be lifelines to survivors of gender-based violence.
According to a media release, the demand for crisis hotline services significantly increased across Canada during the pandemic, and this demand continues today.
The money will flow over four years to help Ontario crisis hotlines offer more expanded services, resources, and supports for all survivors of gender-based violence and their families.
This comes on top of the Government of Canada's commitment to provide approximately $300 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to support individuals experiencing gender-based violence.
Since April 2020, the Government of Canada has invested over $259 million of emergency COVID-19 funding in 1,400 women's shelters, sexual assault centres, and other organizations.
"Crisis hotlines are a lifeline for women fleeing domestic violence because they serve as a connection to safe resources. Today, we are proud to provide the Government of Ontario with the support they need, as we sign yet another agreement to support crisis hotlines. We will continue working closely with provincial and territorial governments to prevent and address gender-based violence – a pervasive, deadly, and deeply rooted human rights violation," said Marci Ien, Federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth.
Between June and October of 2022, there was a dramatic surge in calls to crisis hotlines across the country, as COVID-19 lockdown measures first eased. Ontario registered the highest number of people experiencing intimate partner violence in Canada in 2019. Women and girls in Ontario experience family violence at rates more than double those among men and boys.
"Crisis lines in Ontario are free, confidential, and available 24/7 in multiple languages to ensure anyone affected by violence or sexual exploitation can connect to the supports they need. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their community, and this investment to support crisis hotlines across Ontario reflects a shared commitment with our federal and community partners to prevent and stop gender-based violence," said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.
Ontario's dedicated provincial crisis lines include the Assaulted Women's Helpline, Fem'aide, Talk4Healing, and Findhelp, which operates the Victim Support Line and the Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Provincial Crisis and Referral Line.
